ABSTRACT
Four young healthy adults were studied physiologically after accidental inhalation of chlorine gas. All patients were symptomatic with cough, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath. All had restrictive ventilatory defect with impaired diffusing capacity. There was evidence of some obstruction in small airways. There was inconsistent evidence of obstruction in large airways. All lung function impairment was temporary and cleared entirely within one month. There was no residual lung damage.
Subject(s)
Chlorine/adverse effects , Lung Diseases/chemically induced , Lung/physiopathology , Accidents , Adolescent , Adult , Gases/adverse effects , Humans , Lung/drug effects , Lung Diseases/physiopathology , Lung Volume Measurements , Male , Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity/drug effects , SpirometryABSTRACT
We performed follow-up pulmonary function studies on three patients with acute pulmonary histoplasmosis over a period of several months, and found that the disease is benign and usually responds well to treatment or is self-limiting. There are four major changes in lung function, namely a restrictive defect, an impairment of diffusing capacity, stiff lung, and obstruction in small airways. These changes usually lead to disturbance of ventilation-perfusion ratios and impaired gas transport across alveolar capillary membranes, resulting in arterial hypoxemia. There is also hypocapnia from alveolar hyperventilation commonly found in restrictive and stiff lung syndrome.
